The Hyena Kill – Atomised

Hailing from Manchester, The Hyena Kill are a sometimes stoner, sometimes experimental two-piece outfit from Manchester. Having made a mark on the underground scene, Atomised could very well put them on the map and establish them throughout the rest of the UK.

Atomised begins with the blues swagger and instant charm of the title track. Displaying a sensibility that will change for the rest of the release, The Hyena Kill have picked a song that has a very distinctive sound for an opening salvo. With a tortured swagger-similar in style to the most forlorn Cure tracks ever committed to record-in the verses, it builds to louder Pixies like choruses, until the close, which sounds like early System Of A Down. So far, intriguing.

From the relaxed Sound of Atomised come the polar opposites in speed and style, in songs like Choke and Tongue Tied. With both bringing a more punk sound to the table (while keeping a heavy blues sentiment in the former) they show a real definition that The Hyena Kill intend to be whatever band they can think of, without being tied to specific genres.

Songs like Erase You, Still Sick and Your Loss bring more of a Queens Of The Stone Age sound to the table. At this point Atomised loses some of its focus slightly and becomes muddied in its defiance in the face of genre definition. However, this isn’t to say it becomes less enjoyable or worse, only less defined in its direction.

To add even more to this point is, in my opinion, the best song on the record in The Waiting Room. This song will ultimately be divisive, with some (like myself) enjoying it, and others feeling that it only adds to the confusion of Atomised as a whole. Personally, I believe this to be the most centred and assured song that I’ve heard from The Hyena Kill, but one track of its kind is enough, so they found the balance perfectly.

However, in my eyes the best parts of this album are the stunning performances but in by the bands two members (guitar and drums). As far as musicians on the fringes go, they really know how to write fresh and interesting tracks that hook you from the get go. Plus, for only two members; they’re good at making a racket.

 This is a really good release. While at times it does become entrenched in its need to be different and the focus of the endeavour becomes blurred, you get a feeling that that’s exactly what The Hyena Kill wanted to do with this release. To surprise the listener and keep their horizons expanded.

Atomised will be released on May 20^th, 2016 via self-release

Favourite Track:

The Waiting Room

Atomised tack listing:

1. Atomised
2. Choke
3. Crosses
4. Erase You
5. Still Sick
6. The Waiting Room
7. Tongue Tied
8. Your Loss

The Hyena Kill are:

Steven Dobb

Lorna Blundell

 
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